BRO reconstructs strategic bridge over Subansiri River in Arunachal amid lockdown

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Scripting a success story to connect 451 villages and over 3000 Army personnel deployed along the Indo-China border, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Monday inaugurated a strategic bridge over Subansiri River in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh amid nationwide lockdown to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

The 430-feet multi-span bridge, constructed by project Arunank of the BRO, serves as a strategic line of communication along China border besides Daporijo, the district headquarters and other villages located on the other side of River. It also connects the Siang belt with Upper Subansiri district.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the revamped bridge albeit through video conferencing, sources at the CMO said.

The bridge has been named after martyr Hangpan Dada, who laid down his life fighting terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir and was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra.

The bridge constructed several decades ago was in a dilapidated condition and movement of vehicles over it was restricted owing to huge risk of it collapsing anytime. The State government had taken up the issue of reconstruction of the bridge with the Centre.

The reconstruction work was subsequently entrusted to the BRO under Project Arunank, which after taking over from state PWD started works from March 17, this year.

Lauding the BRO, Khandu said despite various problems faced due to national ‘lockdown’ owing to coronavirus outbreak, the premier construction organization took up the construction work at war footing and within a short period of around one month, completed project.

The Chief Minister also commended the district administration for extending excellent co-operation to the BRO in completion of the bridge.

“Now that this strategic 430 feet multi span bridge is completed, hassle free communication is restored to Daporijo and around 451 villages as well as all the forward locations along LAC where our security forces are deployed,” Khandu said.

The Chief Minister expressed special gratitude to the Director General of Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Project Arunank Chief Engineer Brig A S Chonker, Commander 23 BRTF Col Satyan Sundaran and OC 77 RCC PN Sahu for their prompt and personal interest in carrying out the construction work.

Khandu also appreciated the decision taken by state Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Kanto Danggen to allow BRO to carry out the construction work amidst the lockdown.

BRO sources informed that construction of the bridge was taken amid COVID-19 scare to ensure that all supplies including rations, medical supplies and basic necessities reach the villages and troops along the Indo-China border.

“The bridge is being upgraded to 40 tonne classification and will not only improve capacity but will facilitate future infrastructural development of the district. The bridge was earlier downgraded to 9 tonne classification keeping in view its condition and restricting all movement towards the LAC,” the sources said.

“Construction activities were carried out despite limited workforce due to COVID-19 impact besides limited space for construction. Construction was done by adopting social distancing norms and masks utilised as preventive measures against coronovirus,” the sources added.

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